What do you think?
Rate this book
Desires: New Beginnings
What He Learns
A new dominant
A jaded submissive
What could possibly go right?
Sterling's plan is simple. Learn how to be dominant, woo his crush. The only problem is he doesn't know how to do either of those things. Getting a job at the local kink club seems like a good place to start. Meeting a kind and older submissive on his first night on the job throws a wrench into his plans.
Despite how hard he tried, Kelly was never enough for his ex-husband. Years after their amicable, yet heartbreaking, divorce, Kelly has come to terms with how things ended. Hoping to put all his doubts aside, he's ready to get back into the scene.
Kelly's first night coincides with Sterling's first shift at Desires, and he can't help his interest in the much younger man who has more questions than answers. It doesn't take long for them both to realize they have something important to offer the other. Sterling needs practice and Kelly... well, after so long away, he does too.
Questions turn into scenes and scenes turn into more, and they're just getting started when Kelly's doubts creep back in. If he wasn't enough for his ex, how can he be enough for a man like Sterling? Can Kelly learn to trust again, or will they lose everything they have built together before love can even be found?
A jaded submissive
What could possibly go right?
Sterling's plan is simple. Learn how to be dominant, woo his crush. The only problem is he doesn't know how to do either of those things. Getting a job at the local kink club seems like a good place to start. Meeting a kind and older submissive on his first night on the job throws a wrench into his plans.
Despite how hard he tried, Kelly was never enough for his ex-husband. Years after their amicable, yet heartbreaking, divorce, Kelly has come to terms with how things ended. Hoping to put all his doubts aside, he's ready to get back into the scene.
Kelly's first night coincides with Sterling's first shift at Desires, and he can't help his interest in the much younger man who has more questions than answers. It doesn't take long for them both to realize they have something important to offer the other. Sterling needs practice and Kelly... well, after so long away, he does too.
Questions turn into scenes and scenes turn into more, and they're just getting started when Kelly's doubts creep back in. If he wasn't enough for his ex, how can he be enough for a man like Sterling? Can Kelly learn to trust again, or will they lose everything they have built together before love can even be found?
211 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 9, 2023
25 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
E.M. Denning
90 books522 followersEM Denning has more than twenty romance novels under her belt and has become an author you can rely on to bring you emotionally endearing, soft and fuzzy, stories. She is well known among her friends for her love of naps and sarcasm. She spends her free time reading as many romance novels as she can get her hands on.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
February 9, 2023
Rating: 4 ♥️
Steam: 4 🔥
PoV: dual, 3rd person
MM | age gap | bdsm / kink | D/s
What He Learns surprised me in the best ways and I absolutely adored Sterling and Kelly! It’s a very well written story about finding your identity both inside and outside of kink.
It was refreshing to read a book with a younger, inexperienced Dom and an older, experienced sub. Sterling and Kelly were great together; I loved the development between them and the way they created a dynamic that felt right for both of them. It was really interesting to follow Sterling and his thoughts about kink dynamics, scenes and the lifestyle in general as he was so new to it all. Denning did a fantastic job with portraying his inexperience and insecurities without it feeling repetitive or being too much.
There was a lot of communication between Sterling and Kelly, and they were great at reassuring each other when needed. I loved the scenes that they did together, Sterling’s dominance came very naturally to him and it was hot to read! The story had a lot of sweetness to it as well, and was overall just such a wholesome read.
I really enjoyed this one, it was definitely different from the other D/s books I’ve read and I highly recommend it!
Steam: 4 🔥
PoV: dual, 3rd person
MM | age gap | bdsm / kink | D/s
What He Learns surprised me in the best ways and I absolutely adored Sterling and Kelly! It’s a very well written story about finding your identity both inside and outside of kink.
It was refreshing to read a book with a younger, inexperienced Dom and an older, experienced sub. Sterling and Kelly were great together; I loved the development between them and the way they created a dynamic that felt right for both of them. It was really interesting to follow Sterling and his thoughts about kink dynamics, scenes and the lifestyle in general as he was so new to it all. Denning did a fantastic job with portraying his inexperience and insecurities without it feeling repetitive or being too much.
There was a lot of communication between Sterling and Kelly, and they were great at reassuring each other when needed. I loved the scenes that they did together, Sterling’s dominance came very naturally to him and it was hot to read! The story had a lot of sweetness to it as well, and was overall just such a wholesome read.
I really enjoyed this one, it was definitely different from the other D/s books I’ve read and I highly recommend it!
February 11, 2023
While Sterling has no experience being a Dom he certainly has the right attitude. If he only knew this himself.
Sterling works at a BDSM club, it’s something he wants to explore for himself. He feels like a Dom and is stupefied when his best friend thinks he’s a sub. It brings him into a state of unbalance and gives him doubts about his competence.
It’s at the club where he meets the ten years older Kelly, my heart, Kelly is amazing.
Kelly is pure, he’s honest, mature, and in a way alluring to Sterling. Kelly is a sub and wants to help Sterling to explore the Dom in him.
What starts as a friendly service ends in a beautiful relationship. We can enjoy romance and BDSM scenes, serious conversations, and fun.
The main story is about growing, growing alone and together, and being enough. Not only in words but feel it into your bones and believe it.
It was amazing to see and feel all those pure emotions, it felt so natural.
Thank goodness there’s no angst. It’s friendly and educational, it’s pure and romantic.
A wonderfully written story, quite interesting and very entertaining.
Sterling works at a BDSM club, it’s something he wants to explore for himself. He feels like a Dom and is stupefied when his best friend thinks he’s a sub. It brings him into a state of unbalance and gives him doubts about his competence.
It’s at the club where he meets the ten years older Kelly, my heart, Kelly is amazing.
Kelly is pure, he’s honest, mature, and in a way alluring to Sterling. Kelly is a sub and wants to help Sterling to explore the Dom in him.
What starts as a friendly service ends in a beautiful relationship. We can enjoy romance and BDSM scenes, serious conversations, and fun.
The main story is about growing, growing alone and together, and being enough. Not only in words but feel it into your bones and believe it.
It was amazing to see and feel all those pure emotions, it felt so natural.
Thank goodness there’s no angst. It’s friendly and educational, it’s pure and romantic.
A wonderfully written story, quite interesting and very entertaining.
April 5, 2023
4.5 stars - The first half of this book made me think a lot and around 45% I was wary about the direction this was going to take. However, from 50% on, it won me over with a lot of very swoony romance action.
Sterling is a brand new Dom who became interested in the scene through accidentally seeing a friend kneeling as a sub and develops a crush/fascination. He starts working at a kink club to learn more (and has the tiniest hope of seeing his crush there.) I can see some people feeling weird about that and how he starts his path to discover more about kink hoping to one day partner with his friend.
But he keeps his hopes to himself and when he meets the other MC, he isn't using him as a trial run before his friend and does not compare the two. Pretty quickly, he realizes that his friend doesn't see him in that way and while there's a sting there, he had already started to fall for Kelly (an older sub who is in a really complicated friendship with his ex.)
Mainly, I think this is very nuanced portrayal of how if you keep a desire to yourself, does it really harm anyone? If you respect the wishes of those around you and do not act on the feelings you know aren't reciprocated, no one is actually affected (apart possibly from the person feeling the feels.) Not that it's necessarily perfectly okay, but it's . . . surmountable? And, more importantly, the MCs in the new exploratory relationship (Sterling and Kelly) are trying to be open and honest with each other. (Sterling tells Kelly about his crush and how he thinks it is hopeless anyway, and how he didn't think of the crush while they were together; Kelly tells Sterling about how he still sees his ex frequently as friends.)
I do worry that other people might dip out early, but I’m glad I stayed to see it all play out, because it really developed in a healthy and sweet way, with a lot of communication and everyone acting fairly maturely about the intertwined interpersonal landscape. Both Sterling and Kelly have realizations about what they really want out of their relationship. Sterling has some conversations with other Doms which also shed light. I highlighted way more in the second half and said "Awww" several times out loud. Highly recommended!
Sterling is a brand new Dom who became interested in the scene through accidentally seeing a friend kneeling as a sub and develops a crush/fascination. He starts working at a kink club to learn more (and has the tiniest hope of seeing his crush there.) I can see some people feeling weird about that and how he starts his path to discover more about kink hoping to one day partner with his friend.
But he keeps his hopes to himself and when he meets the other MC, he isn't using him as a trial run before his friend and does not compare the two. Pretty quickly, he realizes that his friend doesn't see him in that way and while there's a sting there, he had already started to fall for Kelly (an older sub who is in a really complicated friendship with his ex.)
Mainly, I think this is very nuanced portrayal of how if you keep a desire to yourself, does it really harm anyone? If you respect the wishes of those around you and do not act on the feelings you know aren't reciprocated, no one is actually affected (apart possibly from the person feeling the feels.) Not that it's necessarily perfectly okay, but it's . . . surmountable? And, more importantly, the MCs in the new exploratory relationship (Sterling and Kelly) are trying to be open and honest with each other. (Sterling tells Kelly about his crush and how he thinks it is hopeless anyway, and how he didn't think of the crush while they were together; Kelly tells Sterling about how he still sees his ex frequently as friends.)
I do worry that other people might dip out early, but I’m glad I stayed to see it all play out, because it really developed in a healthy and sweet way, with a lot of communication and everyone acting fairly maturely about the intertwined interpersonal landscape. Both Sterling and Kelly have realizations about what they really want out of their relationship. Sterling has some conversations with other Doms which also shed light. I highlighted way more in the second half and said "Awww" several times out loud. Highly recommended!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2023
This is such a wonderful story that has a perfect balance of sweetness, heat and introspectiveness.
Two very different men in many ways, Sterling is new to the BDSM world, starting out as a Dom and working in Desires, a kink club, where he meets Kelly. Kelly is a sub who has hidden away from the world for a while after his divorce but is taking a small step back into the world by having a drink at a club he used to go to.
It seems meant to be when Kelly offers to help Sterling learn the ropes, so to speak, of being a Dom. Spending time together, doing scenes so that he can have hands on experience as there is only so much you can take from books and watching YouTube. What is surprising for them both is the near instant draw they feel and how good they are together. Sterling was hoping that by becoming a Dom it would bring him closer to his friend he's been crushing on but Kelly's easy going and accepting nature, not to mention how attractive he finds the older man soon has his longing moving elsewhere. For Kelly, the inadequacies he felt in his marriage soon get smoothed over and raised up as Sterling makes him feel truly happy and wanted for the man he is, not expected to be.
I love the progress between the two, the conversations that they have, not just with each other but other characters as well. Sterling is very thoughtful in how he is with his submissive, constantly worrying if things are going well and, in that regard, you wouldn't think he was a newbie but Kelly really brings out the caring Dom side. A wonderful Dom/sub romance to read that is also an age gap with an opposites attract element.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
Two very different men in many ways, Sterling is new to the BDSM world, starting out as a Dom and working in Desires, a kink club, where he meets Kelly. Kelly is a sub who has hidden away from the world for a while after his divorce but is taking a small step back into the world by having a drink at a club he used to go to.
It seems meant to be when Kelly offers to help Sterling learn the ropes, so to speak, of being a Dom. Spending time together, doing scenes so that he can have hands on experience as there is only so much you can take from books and watching YouTube. What is surprising for them both is the near instant draw they feel and how good they are together. Sterling was hoping that by becoming a Dom it would bring him closer to his friend he's been crushing on but Kelly's easy going and accepting nature, not to mention how attractive he finds the older man soon has his longing moving elsewhere. For Kelly, the inadequacies he felt in his marriage soon get smoothed over and raised up as Sterling makes him feel truly happy and wanted for the man he is, not expected to be.
I love the progress between the two, the conversations that they have, not just with each other but other characters as well. Sterling is very thoughtful in how he is with his submissive, constantly worrying if things are going well and, in that regard, you wouldn't think he was a newbie but Kelly really brings out the caring Dom side. A wonderful Dom/sub romance to read that is also an age gap with an opposites attract element.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
February 11, 2023
This is a low-protocol D/s story featuring a younger, unconfident, inexperienced Dom and an older, divorced sub who is just coming back on the scene. Sterling has had a long-time crush on a friend who he one day caught kneeling before another man. The sight made him want to explore his own need for dominance. He joined a BDSM club to work in the bar and to also try to pick up pointers about the lifestyle.
Kelly is still friends with his ex-husband, but he knows he can never again enter a 24/7 type of relationship, as he now knows that he will never be that type of always-on submissive. At the club, he notices the new bartender and they begin to talk. When Kelly learns that Sterling needs some experience in dominating, he agrees to submit to him in scenes under certain conditions for practice. What happens when a little practice starts to incorporate mutual attraction and feelings? This book starts out a little slow and simplistic, but the relationship that develops is one of respect, passion, and love. The non-traditional scenario of an older sub/younger dom, who tops and bottoms, is very appreciated.
Kelly is still friends with his ex-husband, but he knows he can never again enter a 24/7 type of relationship, as he now knows that he will never be that type of always-on submissive. At the club, he notices the new bartender and they begin to talk. When Kelly learns that Sterling needs some experience in dominating, he agrees to submit to him in scenes under certain conditions for practice. What happens when a little practice starts to incorporate mutual attraction and feelings? This book starts out a little slow and simplistic, but the relationship that develops is one of respect, passion, and love. The non-traditional scenario of an older sub/younger dom, who tops and bottoms, is very appreciated.
February 14, 2023
emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
The only rules that matter are the ones we set for ourselves.
What a delight!!
Sterling is such a sweetheart! I could totally vibe with his insecurities and desires to be the “right“ dom for his beautiful and amazing sub Kelly 💖
I loved how the exploration took place, sharing experience within the friends group but also learn that ‚rules‘ are made between partners.
The scenes and the talk about their likes (…) were delightfully hot and gave me a super comfort feeling!
We get:
A newbie Dom
A 10yr age gap
older sub
Friendsgroup and family
Low angst
Hot kinky explorations
Wholesome conversations
HEA
and more
—
Tags are based on my personal impression/opinion and don’t have a 100% reliability.
If you don’t know if a book might be something for you:
Read reviews, ask questions and be a responsible adult.
Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
The only rules that matter are the ones we set for ourselves.
What a delight!!
Sterling is such a sweetheart! I could totally vibe with his insecurities and desires to be the “right“ dom for his beautiful and amazing sub Kelly 💖
I loved how the exploration took place, sharing experience within the friends group but also learn that ‚rules‘ are made between partners.
The scenes and the talk about their likes (…) were delightfully hot and gave me a super comfort feeling!
We get:
A newbie Dom
A 10yr age gap
older sub
Friendsgroup and family
Low angst
Hot kinky explorations
Wholesome conversations
HEA
and more
—
Tags are based on my personal impression/opinion and don’t have a 100% reliability.
If you don’t know if a book might be something for you:
Read reviews, ask questions and be a responsible adult.
February 12, 2023
4/4.5.
This book is lovely. New dom with experienced sub negotiating and learning together. It’s absolutely lovely to see how they navigate their relationship and how good they are at communicating. No unnecessary drama, no evil exes, just two people falling in love.
I just wished we had a bit more time in between the beginnings of the relationship and the ILYs. But other than that (and the many colons on the title) it was so very swoony. And a great example of how bdsm relationships can all look different, they just need to work for the people on it.
I think this is a spin off of a series but it can most definitely be read as a standalone. I think there is a couple of cameos (haven’t read the previous series) but they are unobtrusive. Very recommended
This book is lovely. New dom with experienced sub negotiating and learning together. It’s absolutely lovely to see how they navigate their relationship and how good they are at communicating. No unnecessary drama, no evil exes, just two people falling in love.
I just wished we had a bit more time in between the beginnings of the relationship and the ILYs. But other than that (and the many colons on the title) it was so very swoony. And a great example of how bdsm relationships can all look different, they just need to work for the people on it.
I think this is a spin off of a series but it can most definitely be read as a standalone. I think there is a couple of cameos (haven’t read the previous series) but they are unobtrusive. Very recommended
February 15, 2023
Sterling and Kelly ❤️
4.5 Stars ⭐️
This was such a sweet Age gap story filled with steam, exploration, teaching and love. The flow of this story was the perfect pace to give it the realism to capture every emotion and feeling these two MC's go through while building the trust and love that it takes for their Dom/Sub dynamic. I honestly couldn't get enough of these two and their relationship. I adored Kelly... he literally took my heart from the get go, he was such a beautiful character and having him get the HEA that he deserved and longed for was so satisfying ❤️ Sterling was his perfect partner. I would highly recommend this one, E.M. Denning wrote one hell of a romance with this one.
* I received an ARC from GRR, this is my open and honest review *
4.5 Stars ⭐️
This was such a sweet Age gap story filled with steam, exploration, teaching and love. The flow of this story was the perfect pace to give it the realism to capture every emotion and feeling these two MC's go through while building the trust and love that it takes for their Dom/Sub dynamic. I honestly couldn't get enough of these two and their relationship. I adored Kelly... he literally took my heart from the get go, he was such a beautiful character and having him get the HEA that he deserved and longed for was so satisfying ❤️ Sterling was his perfect partner. I would highly recommend this one, E.M. Denning wrote one hell of a romance with this one.
* I received an ARC from GRR, this is my open and honest review *
February 23, 2023
KU read
This was a well I am gonna call it light BDSM - baby dom/older sub read.
It has learning curves for both Sterling and Kelly in what they think they want or need in terms of love and relationships involving BDSM.
I enjoyed this read
This was a well I am gonna call it light BDSM - baby dom/older sub read.
It has learning curves for both Sterling and Kelly in what they think they want or need in terms of love and relationships involving BDSM.
I enjoyed this read
February 9, 2023
What He Learns is the first book in the Desires: New Beginnings series by EM Denning. This book is about Kelly and Sterling. Sterling is a new dom, Kelly an experienced sub.
I really liked their story. It was sweet, sexy, full of feels and very well written.
I really liked their story. It was sweet, sexy, full of feels and very well written.
February 25, 2023
❤️🔥A gorgeous story for both characters finding there spot where love belongs.
Sterling starts a new job in a bdsm club Desires, hoping to learn more about being a Dom for a sub he had in mind. Yeah things don’t go to plan.
Kelly hadn’t been to the club for a awhile and was moving on from his Ex husband.
A great first meeting between Sterling 25? and Kelly, 37 yrs, with Kelly not taking his eyes of the young Sterling behind the bar.
Hot sexy scenes happen for both of them learning together. I loved the feels and emotions coming from both in this. Sterling wasn’t sure if he was doing things right with Kelly and reached out for help with his boss.
I loved Sterlings journey with begin a dominate which he’s perfect for Kelly.
Written with dual povs and in 3rd person, I’ve loved the books in this series that I’ve read by the author.
Sterling starts a new job in a bdsm club Desires, hoping to learn more about being a Dom for a sub he had in mind. Yeah things don’t go to plan.
Kelly hadn’t been to the club for a awhile and was moving on from his Ex husband.
A great first meeting between Sterling 25? and Kelly, 37 yrs, with Kelly not taking his eyes of the young Sterling behind the bar.
Hot sexy scenes happen for both of them learning together. I loved the feels and emotions coming from both in this. Sterling wasn’t sure if he was doing things right with Kelly and reached out for help with his boss.
I loved Sterlings journey with begin a dominate which he’s perfect for Kelly.
Written with dual povs and in 3rd person, I’ve loved the books in this series that I’ve read by the author.
February 7, 2023
4.5 stars
This book launches a spin-off collection of stand-alone romances in a previous series. Though I’ve read the earlier books, I’m pretty sure this one works well in isolation, with some previous main characters appearing as strong secondary characters here, not just as treat cameos for loyal readers. Denning introduces the world and the new heroes without a lot of fuss, and I was impressed by how she quickly supplies both Sterling and Kelly with full backstories that never bog down the narrative with unnecessary explanation or detail. I was immediately invested in these men, even before they met on the page.
I enjoy a good trope inversion, and “newbie Dominant/experienced submissive” (with or without the added age-gap element) has so much room for creativity and variety. Sterling and Kelly initially interact through an intentional power exchange dynamic, but Denning keeps that element more about the emotional connection and fulfillment and less about the external trappings of kink, allowing for a smoother transition through the romance arc. The seamless flow of these men connecting as new friends, then scene partners, then lovers works for this relatively low-angst story that never sacrifices conflict or character development. I was initially surprised by how easily Sterling gives up his goal of being with Jade, but I was more than okay with not reading a contrived love triangle situation when the alternative Denning provides is an external plot that takes a more unique direction (and not just because Sterling is smart enough to appreciate the better potential partner in Kelly). I also appreciated that this age-gap romance focused less on the age difference between Sterling and Kelly and more on the emotional connection they develop despite it, though this is less of a trope inversion and more about how Denning approached her characters.
After all, romance is about the characters at its heart, and Sterling and Kelly are both strong ones. The overall theme of this story focuses more on changes in how these characters come to see others in their life, both old and new, rather than dramatic internal change. Along the way, Denning treats us to spicy scenes that might feel less intense than others in the genre but are still sexy AF. I know I’ll enjoy seeing Sterling and Kelly again as strong secondary characters in future books of this new series, especially since this one both satisfied and set up so much additional potential for this world.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.
This book launches a spin-off collection of stand-alone romances in a previous series. Though I’ve read the earlier books, I’m pretty sure this one works well in isolation, with some previous main characters appearing as strong secondary characters here, not just as treat cameos for loyal readers. Denning introduces the world and the new heroes without a lot of fuss, and I was impressed by how she quickly supplies both Sterling and Kelly with full backstories that never bog down the narrative with unnecessary explanation or detail. I was immediately invested in these men, even before they met on the page.
I enjoy a good trope inversion, and “newbie Dominant/experienced submissive” (with or without the added age-gap element) has so much room for creativity and variety. Sterling and Kelly initially interact through an intentional power exchange dynamic, but Denning keeps that element more about the emotional connection and fulfillment and less about the external trappings of kink, allowing for a smoother transition through the romance arc. The seamless flow of these men connecting as new friends, then scene partners, then lovers works for this relatively low-angst story that never sacrifices conflict or character development. I was initially surprised by how easily Sterling gives up his goal of being with Jade, but I was more than okay with not reading a contrived love triangle situation when the alternative Denning provides is an external plot that takes a more unique direction (and not just because Sterling is smart enough to appreciate the better potential partner in Kelly). I also appreciated that this age-gap romance focused less on the age difference between Sterling and Kelly and more on the emotional connection they develop despite it, though this is less of a trope inversion and more about how Denning approached her characters.
After all, romance is about the characters at its heart, and Sterling and Kelly are both strong ones. The overall theme of this story focuses more on changes in how these characters come to see others in their life, both old and new, rather than dramatic internal change. Along the way, Denning treats us to spicy scenes that might feel less intense than others in the genre but are still sexy AF. I know I’ll enjoy seeing Sterling and Kelly again as strong secondary characters in future books of this new series, especially since this one both satisfied and set up so much additional potential for this world.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.
February 12, 2023
This is a very sweet story of a young man who desperately wants to learn to be a “real” Dom so he can someday have his crush, his friend Jade, kneel for him. He’s studied videos and read books but it’s not until he takes a job at a kink club that he finally gets to see D/s relationships in action.
Kelly, a bit older and a bit more jaded, and definitely a submissive, hasn’t been to his club since he broke up with his former lover/husband/Dom over a year ago. Though they are still friends, Kelly is not interested in his kind of domination—one that is geared toward 24/7 dominance. Kelly wants to please a Dom, kneel for him, take care of him in sexual and nonsexual ways, but outside the bedroom, he seeks independence and mutual respect. When he meets Sterling, the new bartender and wannabe Dom at the club, he’s impressed and befriends him. In fact, after their talk, he offers to teach Sterling, from a sub’s perspective, what it means to be in a D/s relationship at home, at a club, in a scene, but not 24 hours a day. The two become friends and when Sterling finally experiences what it is like to have Kelly kneel for him, he knows he didn’t make a mistake in wanting to learn more, and his desire for Jade quickly fades as Kelly becomes the focus of Sterling’s mind and heart.
Their story takes place over a relatively short period of time, yet it feels like a slow-burn, as the couple moves through various stages of attraction at the same time Sterling is working on domination. There’s angst—primarily Sterling’s worry that he not tough enough, not enough of a Dom. And Kelly has moments of doubt that Sterling will want to be like others who are more assertive and then he’ll want a full-time sub, something Kelly would not allow himself to be again.
I enjoyed the author’s style and the progression of the story, and I most certainly enjoyed Sterling’s and Kelly’s HEA. Both characters were well-developed and quickly became favorites. Readers will not find heavy BDSM in this book, but it would serve as a nice intro for someone looking for mild kink.
Kelly, a bit older and a bit more jaded, and definitely a submissive, hasn’t been to his club since he broke up with his former lover/husband/Dom over a year ago. Though they are still friends, Kelly is not interested in his kind of domination—one that is geared toward 24/7 dominance. Kelly wants to please a Dom, kneel for him, take care of him in sexual and nonsexual ways, but outside the bedroom, he seeks independence and mutual respect. When he meets Sterling, the new bartender and wannabe Dom at the club, he’s impressed and befriends him. In fact, after their talk, he offers to teach Sterling, from a sub’s perspective, what it means to be in a D/s relationship at home, at a club, in a scene, but not 24 hours a day. The two become friends and when Sterling finally experiences what it is like to have Kelly kneel for him, he knows he didn’t make a mistake in wanting to learn more, and his desire for Jade quickly fades as Kelly becomes the focus of Sterling’s mind and heart.
Their story takes place over a relatively short period of time, yet it feels like a slow-burn, as the couple moves through various stages of attraction at the same time Sterling is working on domination. There’s angst—primarily Sterling’s worry that he not tough enough, not enough of a Dom. And Kelly has moments of doubt that Sterling will want to be like others who are more assertive and then he’ll want a full-time sub, something Kelly would not allow himself to be again.
I enjoyed the author’s style and the progression of the story, and I most certainly enjoyed Sterling’s and Kelly’s HEA. Both characters were well-developed and quickly became favorites. Readers will not find heavy BDSM in this book, but it would serve as a nice intro for someone looking for mild kink.
March 3, 2023
What He Learns is a kind of sweet BDSM romance. Kelly is an older sub, and when he meets the new young bartender, Sterling at their kink club, he offers to help the young dom learn how to dom, essentially. It’s not completely altruistic, because Kelly wants to get back into the community, but is a bit hesitant and sees Sterling as a safe way to dip his toes back in.
Together they make a really sweet pair, with Sterling doing his best to be a good dom, really wanting to emulate his boss, who he sees as the ultimate dom. But Kelly has been in a relationship where his partner wanted more of a full time sub, instead of just sexy times, and he doesn’t want that again, which does lead to tension with Sterling. So there were some communication issues, which is not my favourite thing, especially in a BDSM book.
But what did frustrate me was that Sterling got into kink because of his friend Jade, after accidentally seeing Jade in the middle of a scene, he decides this is how he’s finally going to convince them they will make good partners, not just friends. But Jade’s assumptions about Sterling do cause a bit of a friendship breakdown. And honestly, I feel like this entire plot thread wasn’t needed. I felt like it just got in the way of Sterling and Kelly’s relationship.
When I ignore the whole Jade thing, and the two of them communicated, I really enjoyed this book. Sterling and Jade were sweet together, and they actually worked hard to make a relationship work, and join their lives together, which was really lovely.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book.
Together they make a really sweet pair, with Sterling doing his best to be a good dom, really wanting to emulate his boss, who he sees as the ultimate dom. But Kelly has been in a relationship where his partner wanted more of a full time sub, instead of just sexy times, and he doesn’t want that again, which does lead to tension with Sterling. So there were some communication issues, which is not my favourite thing, especially in a BDSM book.
But what did frustrate me was that Sterling got into kink because of his friend Jade, after accidentally seeing Jade in the middle of a scene, he decides this is how he’s finally going to convince them they will make good partners, not just friends. But Jade’s assumptions about Sterling do cause a bit of a friendship breakdown. And honestly, I feel like this entire plot thread wasn’t needed. I felt like it just got in the way of Sterling and Kelly’s relationship.
When I ignore the whole Jade thing, and the two of them communicated, I really enjoyed this book. Sterling and Jade were sweet together, and they actually worked hard to make a relationship work, and join their lives together, which was really lovely.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book.
February 9, 2023
This book what such a great combo of sweet and hot. And it wasn't cheesy and I really, really enjoyed it.
First time Dom. Amirite? Especially since it seemed like he was going into it for one person. But it wasn't something he really considered until he saw it. Someone kneeling.
This is where it could so quickly go off the rails. Baby Dom jumping in there, double fisting paddles, going way overboard. But nope. He eases into it so gently and naturally. Starting slowly with an experienced sub. Getting advice from not only his sub, but other Doms. He wasn't a kid in a candy store. He was a kid with 50 cents standing in front of candy dispensers figuring out where he should spend his money.
Kelly was great. A experienced sex only sub who is divorced from a full time Dom. Or wanna be full time Dom with a sub who wants to please but ended up resenting him. I love that they stayed friends. Seeing each other for lunch once a week or so. What was a toxic marriage turned into a lovely friendship.
Sterling and Kelly are wonderful together. A great match who not only fulfill each others needs, but are a strong relationship outside of kink. The I love yous were a bit fast, but hey. Who am I to judge?
I'd love to see Sterling gain more confidence and expand his repertoire with Kelly. Hoping for them to pop up in coming books.
First time Dom. Amirite? Especially since it seemed like he was going into it for one person. But it wasn't something he really considered until he saw it. Someone kneeling.
This is where it could so quickly go off the rails. Baby Dom jumping in there, double fisting paddles, going way overboard. But nope. He eases into it so gently and naturally. Starting slowly with an experienced sub. Getting advice from not only his sub, but other Doms. He wasn't a kid in a candy store. He was a kid with 50 cents standing in front of candy dispensers figuring out where he should spend his money.
Kelly was great. A experienced sex only sub who is divorced from a full time Dom. Or wanna be full time Dom with a sub who wants to please but ended up resenting him. I love that they stayed friends. Seeing each other for lunch once a week or so. What was a toxic marriage turned into a lovely friendship.
Sterling and Kelly are wonderful together. A great match who not only fulfill each others needs, but are a strong relationship outside of kink. The I love yous were a bit fast, but hey. Who am I to judge?
I'd love to see Sterling gain more confidence and expand his repertoire with Kelly. Hoping for them to pop up in coming books.
February 9, 2023
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
What He Learns opens up E.M. Denning’s new Desires: New Beginnings series. The series appears to be a spin-off/extension of the author’s Desires series, and Steve and Matt from What He Craves turn up here as side characters (Steve is the club owner). We also get a brief cameo from Rory from What He Fears. That said, this story stood alone just fine and I was able to easily start here even without reading the first series. I really enjoyed this book and found it sweet and easy, but also with enough depth to the characters to really give the story some weight. While both Kelly and Sterling are entering the club at sort of a transition point, they meet and become friends quickly and their transition into lovers goes very smoothly. The guys are into each other right away, they have great chemistry, and they don’t hesitate to share their feelings with one another. So the relationship itself develops easily and I found the men really appealing together. They are just both sweet and lovely and willing to open up and be there for each other.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
What He Learns opens up E.M. Denning’s new Desires: New Beginnings series. The series appears to be a spin-off/extension of the author’s Desires series, and Steve and Matt from What He Craves turn up here as side characters (Steve is the club owner). We also get a brief cameo from Rory from What He Fears. That said, this story stood alone just fine and I was able to easily start here even without reading the first series. I really enjoyed this book and found it sweet and easy, but also with enough depth to the characters to really give the story some weight. While both Kelly and Sterling are entering the club at sort of a transition point, they meet and become friends quickly and their transition into lovers goes very smoothly. The guys are into each other right away, they have great chemistry, and they don’t hesitate to share their feelings with one another. So the relationship itself develops easily and I found the men really appealing together. They are just both sweet and lovely and willing to open up and be there for each other.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
February 12, 2023
The Desires series was one of the first series I read after discovering the MM+ genre and will always hold a special place in my heart, so you can imagine my excitement to find out that we’re not only getting another book, we’re getting another series! Sterling and Kelly do not disappoint. Kelly, an experienced sub who was a little bit jaded from a failed marriage and Sterling who is new to the scene and swimming in a pool of uncertainty, make the perfect couple as the come together first as friends, then as lovers evolving into something more. I feel like Sterling’s uncertainty about how to be a dom makes him a very realistic character. The crux of the book is experiencing how they learn that the most important thing is learning how to have the relationship that fits them (It’s a nice reminder really). I really like how the top/bottom rolls and expectations don’t necessarily always follow traditional expectations and it flows naturally with characters. Also, I really like when characters safeword in a book - I think it normalizes that - and (no spoilers) a safe word is used in one of my favorite scenes in the book. At the heart of it these two get it right and have earned their HEA. I cannot wait for the next in series!
April 19, 2023
Sigh, Kelly and Sterling were such wonderful protagonists. Kelly was afraid of repeating the painful mistakes from his former marriage, and Sterling was really insecure about what kind of Dom he wanted to be and how to get there.
They were so supportive of each other, and honest about their wants and fears, which was a nice change from the romances where angst/conflict is almost obligatory. There is a sex scene where , and I very nearly cried too.
The people around them were great as well, from Sterling's boss at the kink club, to his big family who pretty much adopted Kelly - a man who had no surviving relatives and lost most of his friends in the divorce, and really needed the love and sense of belonging.
Next up in the series is Kelly's ex-husband Quentin in What He Finds. He's not a villain, he and Kelly just had very different needs and wants, and I look forward to him finding the person that really fits.
They were so supportive of each other, and honest about their wants and fears, which was a nice change from the romances where angst/conflict is almost obligatory. There is a sex scene where , and I very nearly cried too.
The people around them were great as well, from Sterling's boss at the kink club, to his big family who pretty much adopted Kelly - a man who had no surviving relatives and lost most of his friends in the divorce, and really needed the love and sense of belonging.
Next up in the series is Kelly's ex-husband Quentin in What He Finds. He's not a villain, he and Kelly just had very different needs and wants, and I look forward to him finding the person that really fits.
February 5, 2023
“I want to learn for myself, because there’s something about doing this that means something to me, but I don’t know what it means.”
This book was so good. The potential for a massive screw up was definitely there since Sterling started learning about kink for the wrong reason, but thankfully he figures that bit out pretty quickly. You learn about kink or your sexuality for yourself, not to please others. Sterling has spent so long trying to be enough for Jade that he almost forgets himself. I fell in love with Kelly pretty quickly and really wanted him and Sterling to work out pretty early on. I enjoyed the idea of the experienced sub and the baby Dom trying to learn his way. Quinton got on my nerves a little with his need to control Kelly’s life even though they were no longer married. But Kelly and Sterling are so perfect together!!!❤️🔥🔥❤️ They slot together like two pieces of a puzzle. All of the characters in this story were great but I enjoyed our two MCs most of all. It was an addictive book. I haven’t read the other books in this same world and I am going to have to go look them up because this one was amazing.
This book was so good. The potential for a massive screw up was definitely there since Sterling started learning about kink for the wrong reason, but thankfully he figures that bit out pretty quickly. You learn about kink or your sexuality for yourself, not to please others. Sterling has spent so long trying to be enough for Jade that he almost forgets himself. I fell in love with Kelly pretty quickly and really wanted him and Sterling to work out pretty early on. I enjoyed the idea of the experienced sub and the baby Dom trying to learn his way. Quinton got on my nerves a little with his need to control Kelly’s life even though they were no longer married. But Kelly and Sterling are so perfect together!!!❤️🔥🔥❤️ They slot together like two pieces of a puzzle. All of the characters in this story were great but I enjoyed our two MCs most of all. It was an addictive book. I haven’t read the other books in this same world and I am going to have to go look them up because this one was amazing.
March 6, 2023
What He Learns was a surprisingly delightful story to read. It features a Dom, Sterling, seeking a submissive, and a submissive, Kelly, seeking a Dom. The twist is that Sterling is a lot younger than Kelly, with less experience (both in life and in the BDSM lifestyle), but he knows being a Dom is part of who he is and how he navigates partnerships. He has Doms that he looks up to, but learning how to be authentically himself takes time and patience.
Kelly does not seek a domineering, controlling Dom; he had that before, and it did NOT make him happy. He is looking for someone who knows how to be a Dom and a loving, supportive partner, allowing him space to live and breathe. He is more than willing to take the time to teach Sterling what he knows, and to learn together how they can make their relationship work, both in and outside of the bedroom.
I loved the level of communication Kelly and Sterling had in their relationship, even from the beginning, as well as how much fun the two had together!
It was a very sweet love story that I enjoyed so much that I immediately started reading the Desires series to learn who all the side characters were and how they ended up together.
Kelly does not seek a domineering, controlling Dom; he had that before, and it did NOT make him happy. He is looking for someone who knows how to be a Dom and a loving, supportive partner, allowing him space to live and breathe. He is more than willing to take the time to teach Sterling what he knows, and to learn together how they can make their relationship work, both in and outside of the bedroom.
I loved the level of communication Kelly and Sterling had in their relationship, even from the beginning, as well as how much fun the two had together!
It was a very sweet love story that I enjoyed so much that I immediately started reading the Desires series to learn who all the side characters were and how they ended up together.
February 9, 2023
Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
What makes this so great?! Sweet, kink, younger dom/older sub, newbie finding his feet, learning what matters most, steamy.
EM writes some really lovely characters, and I especially loved this duo. Sterling is a Dom with so much vulnerability as he stumbles into the world unsure of how to be a Dom. And Kelly is a Sub who is a little unsure that he will ever be the Sub someone needs.
When these two meet, they find themselves drawn to the safety of the other. A sub looking to ease back into the lifestyle and a Dom needing a hand to provide him with some direction and assurances.
It could go terribly wrong, but what they find is that they are perfect for each other. They just need to trust it.
PS. The ending….awwww!
What makes this so great?! Sweet, kink, younger dom/older sub, newbie finding his feet, learning what matters most, steamy.
EM writes some really lovely characters, and I especially loved this duo. Sterling is a Dom with so much vulnerability as he stumbles into the world unsure of how to be a Dom. And Kelly is a Sub who is a little unsure that he will ever be the Sub someone needs.
When these two meet, they find themselves drawn to the safety of the other. A sub looking to ease back into the lifestyle and a Dom needing a hand to provide him with some direction and assurances.
It could go terribly wrong, but what they find is that they are perfect for each other. They just need to trust it.
PS. The ending….awwww!
February 13, 2023
This was a beautiful take on the D/s dynamic. I loved the premise, Kelly offers to act as sort of a guide or teacher for Sterling, who is interested in being a Dom but has no experience. This set up is not one I’ve read before and I thought was quite original. It’s pretty light as far as D/s goes, but that made sense for this couple. A lot of things in this book were done so well. I loved the emotion between Sterling and Kelly, the intimacy and care in their scenes and their relationship was wonderfully written. I love Matty and Steve stepping in to help with a little D/s mentoring of sorts and how kind they were to Kelly and Sterling. The well developed side characters really made this feel like a fully fleshed out world, even though this is the first book in the new series. Sterling and Kelly’s story is both wildly hot and wonderfully romantic. And, the epilogue…truly perfect. Loved it❤️
I received an ARC edition and this book is my honest opinion/review.
I received an ARC edition and this book is my honest opinion/review.
February 2, 2023
This story revolves around Sterling and Kelly. It is a Dom/sub story but not as you know it. Sterling is a baby Dom, whilst Kelly is an experienced sub. This story breaks away from the stereotypical D/s relationship and gives food for thought that the only correct dynamic is what feels right between the people involved. I liked both MC's they were believable and added strength to the story.
The scenes were really well written and as sexy as hell. The epilogue gave us a solid HFN and was pretty special. Sterling is a sweet quiet Dom and this side to him definitely shone through. I did feel Sterling gave a bit too much time thinking about his 'friend' Jade at times and we didn't get to discover Their secrets, which were subtlety hinted at. Their story would be interesting as a follow up. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The scenes were really well written and as sexy as hell. The epilogue gave us a solid HFN and was pretty special. Sterling is a sweet quiet Dom and this side to him definitely shone through. I did feel Sterling gave a bit too much time thinking about his 'friend' Jade at times and we didn't get to discover Their secrets, which were subtlety hinted at. Their story would be interesting as a follow up. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 20, 2023
It works! Sterling and Kelly is a wonderful story, because they compliment each other's needs. They have had difficult experiences in life and are on a road to starting something new. Kelly has a friendly divorce from his former Dom, who is still in his life. Kelly, is 10 years older than Sterling but he's a sub that needs a new approach. He doesn't want a 24 hour D/s relationship. Sterling wants to learn how to be a Dom. They connect and begin a relationship of mutual respect. Kelly offers to teach Sterling about the D/s life and how to be a Dom. Does Kelly succeed? Does Sterling truly embrace being a Dom? Really nice story, Sterling and Kelly are really nice men and the story has a nice comforting flow. There is a. nice level of hotness going on. Nicely done. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 10, 2023
An amazing story!
I loved this book! The tale of Sterling and Kelly is one of two men who find everything they need in each other. One is a new Dom and the other is an experienced sub. What starts as a journey for Kelly to teach Sterling how to be a Dom turns into so much more! Both men will have to face their fears but it is wonderful how they deal with their insecurities as the story unfolds. Sterling’s family is a bit crazy and they add a wonderful piece to this story. I love how, in the end, Kelly and Sterling both realize that the only opinions that matter are their own and they make their relationship something that works just for them.
I read an ARC copy of this book and am volunteering my honest review.
I loved this book! The tale of Sterling and Kelly is one of two men who find everything they need in each other. One is a new Dom and the other is an experienced sub. What starts as a journey for Kelly to teach Sterling how to be a Dom turns into so much more! Both men will have to face their fears but it is wonderful how they deal with their insecurities as the story unfolds. Sterling’s family is a bit crazy and they add a wonderful piece to this story. I love how, in the end, Kelly and Sterling both realize that the only opinions that matter are their own and they make their relationship something that works just for them.
I read an ARC copy of this book and am volunteering my honest review.
February 13, 2023
There’s a lot to like about Sterling and Kelly, as individuals and as a pairing. They do their tropes justice: this is an age-gap, D/s (older Dom, younger sub), story. The kink is well written and the communication is *chefs kiss.* It’s nice to watch two people figuring things out together, and helping each other along the way, and here you have a character new to being a Dom and trying to learn the ropes and how they work for him and a character who’s still navigating the fallout of a relationship that fit him badly: together they get to work out not only what they actually do want, from kink and from a partner, and how to get there together. All in all, a rewarding read.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
January 26, 2023
Okay it’s official. This one is my favorite of the series. When you read Sterling and Kelly’s story you will see why. While all of the books are amazing this one stands out. I think it’s because most if not all of us can relate to some things here. At least one if not more. Which in my case made an even deeper emotional impact on me. Seriously, you can tell how much and I greatly I enjoyed it by the comments I’ve made while reading it. I rarely do that and when I do it’s usually a single funny one. This truly was an amazing read. I love this world and I’m so happy the author went back into it. And I’m so grateful for getting an arc because the wait for this one was hard y’all.
January 30, 2023
This is a story about Sterling, who's wanting independence from the family business. He applies for a job at Club Desires. His best friend is a member and he's curious about the lifestyle. His first night on the job, he meets Kelly. It is Kelly's first night back at the Club since his divorce.
The guys feel a connection but Sterling is unsure he can be what Kelly needs. Kelly has his own baggage to navigate. Can these two make it work, with Sterling's inexperience and Kelly's hesitation about being in another Dom/Sub relationship.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. There's a little something everyone can relate too.
The guys feel a connection but Sterling is unsure he can be what Kelly needs. Kelly has his own baggage to navigate. Can these two make it work, with Sterling's inexperience and Kelly's hesitation about being in another Dom/Sub relationship.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. There's a little something everyone can relate too.
February 9, 2023
Sweet, steamy and delicious age gap, featuring a new to BDSM Dom and amazing, but jaded sub looking for his second chance at forever...
This book just flowed! Sterling is as sweet as pie and knows enough about wanting to be a Dom that the knows he knows nothing...except what he wants.
Kelly knows he's a submissive man, but that he wasn't a good fit for his last partner, but knows he can be enough for the right man...
and once they start to get together, they are such a beautiful fit!
That's not to say there aren't ups and downs, but the book just carries you through and you won't want to put it down for a second...
This book just flowed! Sterling is as sweet as pie and knows enough about wanting to be a Dom that the knows he knows nothing...except what he wants.
Kelly knows he's a submissive man, but that he wasn't a good fit for his last partner, but knows he can be enough for the right man...
and once they start to get together, they are such a beautiful fit!
That's not to say there aren't ups and downs, but the book just carries you through and you won't want to put it down for a second...
February 10, 2023
Sterling was such a sweet young guy looking to become a Dom. I loved the Dom style he grew into from being with older experienced Kelly. This was definitely a steamy then to lover's story. One of my other favorite things about this book though was how Kelly and his Ex Dom-husband Quintin have developed a very close friendship after their separation. Quintin still tries to control Kelly but not in a bad way. Just a way that shows how much he does still care. It highlighted how much more Sterling was more suited for Kelly romantically. Fresh and original book and I am looking forward to more in the series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews